BAE South Africa Ratel EAOS

     Notes:  The Ratel EAOS (Enhanced Artillery Observation System) is a highly modified Ratel Mk 1 APC designed as a FIST vehicle.  The primary feature of the EAOS is its hydraulically operated mast, which raises a sensor package up to 30 meters above intervening terrain without exposing the vehicle itself.  The sensor package consists of a video camera (day or night operable), a long-range zoom lens, a FLIR viewer, a laser designator, and a laser rangefinder with a video channel.  This system provides accurate observation during the day to 20 km and during the night to 3.5 km. In the vehicle itself is mounted a computer system to manage the data and to provide firing solutions, an integrated vehicle inertial land navigation system (later replaced by GPS), and a pointing control.  Extra radios to transmit new target locations to artillery and mortar batteries are provided (typically, three long-range data-capable radios, one medium-range radio, and one short-range radio).

     The Ratel EAOS has no turret, and during travel the mast is folded on top of the raised superstructure.  A machinegun mount is provided next to the commander’s hatch.

     The Ratel EAOS has a roomy driver’s compartment at the center front of the vehicle with good visibility through ballistic-glass windows to the front and sides of his position.  He can enter and exit through a roof hatch, or though the rear of his position through the troop compartment.  The driver can cover his windows with armored shutters for high-threat environments.  With the shutters in position, the driver views the area around him though three vision blocks (to the front and sides); the front vision block can be replaced by a night vision block.  The driver’s controls are conventional, and the seat and steering column are adjustable.  On either side of the front of the hull are two smoke grenade launchers. The commander has a cupola with all-around vision blocks. The top hatches are deleted except for one, and all firing ports are deleted.  The primary method of entry and exit for troops is via that rear door, which is on the right side of the rear face opposite the engine compartment and is a clamshell-type door opening up and down.  There is also a clamshell door in either side of the vehicle near the center of the hull.

     The Ratel EAOS is powered by a Bussing D-3256 BTXF turbocharged diesel produced in South Africa which has an output of 282 horsepower, coupled to a manual transmission.  The suspension is 6x6, and is of the off-road type.  The suspension is rather high (ground clearance is 35 centimeters).  The armor is of all-welded steel; though the Ratel does not have an MRAP hull, additional attention has been paid to the survivability of the suspension, wheels, and tires, which are run-flat and especially puncture-resistant.  The floor has additional armor protection, and the troops and crew have shock-absorbing seats/positions and take 10% less damage if the Ratel EAOS hits a mine or IED.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Fewer than 10 of these vehicles were completed in time for the Twilight War.

     Merc 2000 Notes: This project was abandoned as being too expensive.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$263,815

D, A

300 kg

20.7 tons

5

14

Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (Mast), FLIR (Mast)

Enclosed

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

122/61

28/14

430

165

Trtd

W(6)

TF2*  TS2*  TR2*  HF11  HS6  HR4**

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

MG-4 (C)

2000x7.62mm

*Turret hits are on the mast-mounted sight; no crew hits are possible (weapon hits are on the mast, and ammo hits are on the sensors). If the mast is not raised, hits are resolved as normal for a Standard-configuration vehicle.

**Floor AV is 4Sp.

 

CSIR Casspir FISTV

     Notes:  This is a FIST vehicle version of the Casspir APC.  It has the same level of mine protection as the APC version.  The Casspir FISTV is sort of a basic form of a FISTV; it has basic equipment necessary for its role. The Casspir FISTV is fitted with limited computers for artillery and mortar firing solutions, inertial land navigation equipment, and a laser designator, as well as extra radios – three data-capable long-range radios, one medium-range radio, and one short-range radio.  The Casspir FISTV carries an additional hand-held laser rangefinder, image intensifier, and thermal imager. The Casspir FISTV can be distinguished from the normal Casspir with overhead protection by its extra, longer radios antennae, additional external stowage boxes, and extra fairings.

     The Casspir FISTV has an MRAP-type hull and suspension, along with the appropriate seating.  This includes 4-point harnesses for the crew and troops to help protect them in the case that a mine or IEDs turns the Casspir FISTV on its side or roof, or causes it to roll over. The Casspir FISTV has a water tank for crew and troop consumption, in this case holding 200 liters; set in the floor, this also provides some incidental protection against mines and IEDs.  It is based on the Mk 2 version, and is enclosed.  It also has a limited-slip differential, a roof with four hatches in it, and a double door at the rear. The commander has a mount for a weapon under his windshield with limited traverse, elevation, and virtually no depression; this is normally an MG-4. At the front of the troop compartment is a mount (or double mount) for a weapon, which may be of several different types but is normally another MG-4; this is manned by one of the troops in the rear.  The interior is rearranged to suit its mission, and the firing ports are deleted, though there are two ballistic-glass windows, one in each side, and one in each rear door. The Casspir FISTV is powered by 166-horsepower Mercedes-Benz OM-352 turbocharged diesel engine, which unfortunately still leaves it a bit underpowered.  The suspension, however, is more suited for off-road use, though a fairly stiff leaf-spring-type suspension is used and the ride can be a bit rough.  The transmission is manual, and the driver has conventional controls.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$268,067

D, A

500 kg

11.3 tons

5

6

Headlights

Enclosed

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

126/64

29/15

220

95

Stnd

W(4)

HF5  HS3  HR3*

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

MG-4 (C), MG-4

1500x7.62mm

*Floor AV is 6Sp.